Mark Hartz / TPR Sports Editor | Posted: Saturday, October 12, 2002 12:00 am
By the time returning Santa Maria graduates had a chance to cheer at last night/s Homecoming football game against Arroyo Grande at Dave Boyd Field, the damage was already done.
With 6:53 left to play in the third quarter, the Saints strung together a 75-yard scoring drive, punctuated with an 8-yard touchdown run by Brad Bowen. Even after Victor Velasco kicked the extra point, Santa Maria was looking at the wrong end of a 31-7 score in a nonleague contest.
Arroyo Grande improved to 5-0 with the 31-7 win, as Santa Maria fell to 2-3.
Santa Maria coach Jim Doyle said the scoring drive was too little, too late.
"That/s one drive," he said. "I guess our guys decided to put together one drive for pride/s sake, I suppose."
The Eagles started off quick against the Saints, scoring early and often in the first half. Five of Arroyo Grande/s first six possessions resulted in scoring plays.
The Eagles began their offensive explosion with a defensive play, when Chris Sumner stripped the ball from Bowen on the Saints/ first possession. Arroyo Grande scored eight plays later when Michael Arias ran the ball in from seven yards out. Billy Vinnedge/s extra point put the Eagles up 7-0 with 7:30 left in the first quarter.
The Eagles scored on their next drive when Joey Renner capped off a 53-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge. Vinnedge made good on the extra point, giving Arroyo Grande a 14-0 lead with just under two minutes left in the opening frame.
The Eagles scored on their third possession when Michael Stoltey scored on an 11-yard run, completing an 86-yard drive in seven plays.
Eagle quarterback Gilbert Buenrostro had a 34-yard scamper on the drive, carrying the ball into Saint territory.
Billy Vinnedge capped off the first half scoring with a 54-yard field goal, breaking his own school record of 52 yards, set two weeks ago against Lompoc.
Arroyo Grande coach Jon Huss said Vinnedge/s play this season, both with his punts and his field goals, gives the Eagles an added dynamic on their special teams.
"He changes the direction of the football game," Huss said. "It/s all about field position and he can get it there. If he can get a 50-yard field goal, you can/t beat it."
In the second half, Arroyo Grande forced the Saints into a four-and-out situation, and put together a 67-yard scoring drive when Chad Simonson ran the ball in from 5 yards out. After Vinnedge converted the point after, the Eagles led 31-0.
Doyle said this year/s Arroyo Grande team is tough.
"They/re a fine ball club," he said. "That/s a fine program they have."
He added he didn/t feel his team was focused enough during the game.
"We played terrible football," he said. "Our mental preparation and our will to be out here tonight wasn/t there."
Next week, the Saints will take on Morro Bay in a Los Padres League contest, and Doyle said he hopes his team will remember a few things from the Arroyo Grande loss.
"I hope they learn they have to be prepared to play the tough games," he said. "They need to go out with the intent of beating the teams maybe they/re not supposed to beat and not just beat the team they/re expected to beat."
Bowen led the Saints with 54 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown, while Pablo Ramos finished with 46 yards on 19 carries.
For the Eagles, Stoltey had 102 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown, and said he was happy to be able to contribute.
"It/s great," he said. "I worked pretty hard, but my linemen deserve all the credit. They/re everything."
Jimmy Chambers had 50 yards on nine carries, Arias had 48 yards on eight carries and Buenrostro finished with 42 yards on four carries.
During halftime ceremonies, Saints linebacker Anthony Dakuras was named Homecoming King, while Adrianna Martinez won Homecoming Queen honors.
The Eagles will begin PAC-5 play at 7:30 p.m. next Friday in Paso Robles.
October 12, 2002